Serious Fraud Trials

Kate Hoey: To ask the Solicitor-General what the reasons are for deciding that serious fraud trials should not be decided by jury.

Mike O'Brien: The Government's decision to implement section 43 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003 will give effect to recommendations made nearly 20 years ago by Lord Roskill's Fraud Trials Committee, and more recently by Sir Robin Auld in his "Review of the Criminal Courts", that the most serious and complex fraud cases should be heard without a jury. The justification for the change is that the efforts made by the prosecution and the court to keep such cases to a manageable length mean that sometimes the defendant cannot be tried for charges that fully expose the extent of the criminality alleged. Moreover, notwithstanding these efforts, some trials are inordinately long and impose an unreasonable burden on juries, whose members ask to be excused and sometimes as a result the jury becomes unrepresentative. In other cases the number of jurors can fall worryingly low because jurors cannot continue to serve for a prolonged period.

Work-related Stress

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Solicitor-General how many cases of work-related stress have been reported in the Law Offices in each of the last three years; how much compensation was paid to employees in each year; how many work days were lost due to work-related stress in each year; at what cost; what procedures have been put in place to reduce work-related stress; at what cost; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: This answer covers those Departments for which I am accountable—the Crown Prosecution Service CPS, the Treasury Solicitor's Department (TSol), the Serious Fraud Office (SFO), the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) and EM CPS Inspectorate (HMCPSI).
	CPS
	The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not hold records for cases of work-related stress.
	There have been two cases in the last three financial years (2002–03 to 2004–05) in which staff have made a claim against the CPS for injury due to work-related stress. One claim was withdrawn, and the Service reached an out of court settlement for £10,000 without acceptance of liability in the remaining case.
	The total number of days lost and the estimated cost is shown in the following table for the two cases in which "work-related stress" was alleged.
	
		
			  Days lost Cost (£) 
		
		
			 2002–03 85 23,708 
			 2003–04 32 8,925 
			 2004–05 26 7,252 
		
	
	The CPS provides Counselling and Support services for all its staff. The cost of this over the last three years was £550,054. Over the past year, extra support has been provided to those whose work entails the handling of sensitive and difficult casework.
	SFO
	
		
			 Financial year Number of cases reported Work days lost 
		
		
			 2002–03 3 42 
			 2003–04 — 1 
			 2004–05 2 18 
			 Total 7 61 
		
	
	No compensation was paid in respect of cases of work related stress. Salaries continued to be paid during each period of absence.
	The cost to the SFO of the lost work days was £6,166.
	The Serious Fraud Office is committed to meeting targets for reducing the number of working days lost due to sickness absence. The SFO's strategy is based upon the continuing need to support staff as well as to generally help line managers to take a proactive role in what can be a sensitive area. The strategy results in no additional cost to the office.
	TSols
	While The Treasury Solicitor's Department monitors all sick absence, it does not have a specific system in place for reporting and monitoring cases of work-related stress.
	The Department subscribes to a free and confidential telephone helpline service, offering support and information on a wide range of issues, including stress. The Welfare Officer is available to all staff during the working day and face-to-face surgeries are held every six weeks. All staff may apply to alter their standard working patterns under the flexible working arrangements scheme. The only direct cost is that for the telephone helpline service at £6,000 per annum.
	HMCPSI
	HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate's (HMCPSI) records show no days having been lost due to cases of work-related stress in any of the last three years. No cost is therefore associated with days lost or compensation paid.
	Workload is monitored and managed appropriately by line managers. Staff attendance is also monitored and staff are able to tailor working arrangements to suit personal circumstances by discussion with line managers, in accordance with our policies on leave and attendance as set out in the Staff Handbook.
	HMCPSI are committed to providing a healthy and secure environment for its staff. There is a Health and Safety Policy, that covers such issues. Forums for staff to raise any such concerns include Whitley council (where health and safety is a standing agenda item), the HMCPSI Sounding Board and group meetings. To date no concerns regarding work-related stress have been raised.
	RCPO
	RCPO is a new Department created on 18 April 2005 when staff transferred from HM Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue. Systems operating in the predecessor Departments do not separately record work-related stress.
	The Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office has policies and procedures in place to address the long hours culture, performance management, personal development and attendance management. It also has anti-bullying policies and deploys phased return to work to aid the rehabilitation of staff from long-term sick absence. A welfare service is provided for staff.

Carbon Emissions

Julian Brazier: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual volumetric change in UK carbon emissions attributable to (a) aviation and (b) road vehicles was for each of the most recent 10 years for which information is available.

Elliot Morley: The following table shows year on year changes in the volume of emissions of carbon dioxide from 1993–94 to 2002–03, for aviation (domestic and international) and for all road transport. These data are from the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory published in 2005.
	
		Percentage increase
		
			  Aviation Road transport 
		
		
			 1993–94 3.38 0.54 
			 1994–95 6.33 -0.79 
			 1995–96 6.19 3.81 
			 1996–97 6.17 1.25 
			 1997–98 11.13 -0.63 
			 1998–99 8.78 0.81 
			 1999–2000 10.15 -0.64 
			 2000–01 -2.07 0.05 
			 2001–02 -1.71 2.05 
			 2002–03 2.49 -0.16

GM Crops

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures to avoid the unintended presence of genetically modified organisms in other products her Department has taken, with reference to Article 26A of EU Directive 2001/18.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 18 July 2005
	Before there is any commercial GM cultivation we plan to have appropriate measures in place to ensure the co-existence of GM and non-GM crops, consistent with Article 26a of Directive 2001/18. No GM crops are expected to be grown here commercially before 2008 at the very earliest.

Sludge

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what identified hazards the proposed sludge (Use in Agriculture) Regulations address that are not addressed by the Safe Sludge Matrix; when the regulatory impact assessment on the regulations will be published; and what her assessment is of the cost of implementing the regulations.

Elliot Morley: The Safe Sludge Matrix introduced voluntary controls which provide additional protection against the entry of pathogens into the food chain. The proposed amendments to the regulations would provide additional security by making these standards legally enforceable. They would also extend the ban to include septic tank sludge. A draft Regulatory and Environmental Impact Assessment, including costs, was published in October 2002 as part of the first consultation exercise on the proposals (please see www.defra.gov.uk/environment/consult/sewagesludge/index.htm).
	This is currently being revised and updated and a further version will be published as part of the second consultation planned for later this year.

Sustainable Development Action Plans

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what guidance she has provided to Government Departments regarding the drawing up of their sustainable development action plans.

Elliot Morley: The UK sustainable development strategy 1 committed all central Government Departments and their executive agencies to produce
	1 Securing the Future: The UK Government Sustainable Development Strategy Cm. 6467 March 2005.
	focused sustainable development action plans based onthe strategy by December 2005. The strategy also committed Government to strengthen the Sustainable Development Commission and to expand its role as an independent "watchdog" looking at Government's progress on the strategy.
	The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) has prepared draft guidance for Government Departments on what it considers to be the key elements of a good sustainable development action plan. This guidance has been made available to, and discussed with departmental officials and will be published on the SDC website shortly. A number of departments have already actively sought advice from the SDC about their proposed approach to the development of these plans.

Devolution

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the further devolution of legislative powers to Wales.

Peter Hain: The Government's proposals are contained in the White Paper "Better Governance for Wales" which I published on 15 June.

Bullying

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate her Department has made of the number of children in (a) Lancashire and (b) Ribble Valley schools who have been victims of bullying in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: Data on bullying is not collected centrally and there is no reliable basis for an estimate of prevalence in Lancashire and the Ribble Valley. Bullying cases appear to be reported more often now than previously but we have no hard evidence that bullying is increasing or affecting more children. Indeed, as children and young people increasingly feel safe at school to report bullying, and confident that it will be tackled effectively and sensitively, it is likely reporting will rise.
	However, any level of bullying is too high and we are determined to help schools tackle the problem. Our guidance pack "Bullying: Don't Suffer in Silence", the anti-bullying Charter and the anti-bullying website www.dfes.gov.uk/bullying offer detailed advice on preventing and addressing bullying. We also offer specific advice to schools on tackling homophobic bullying and are developing advice on racist bullying.

Ministerial Meetings/Visits

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many constituencies (a) she and (b) her Ministers have visited since the general election; and what the (i) purpose and (ii) duration was of each visit.

Bill Rammell: Ministers from the Department for Education and skills have made the following visits to constituencies since the general election.
	
		
			 Date Constituency Purpose Duration 
			 Ruth Kelly
		
		
			 10 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Ministerial Photocall at Sure Start Unit, Thomas Coram Children's Centre 45 minutes 
			 13 June 2005 Hackney Visit the Breakfast Club at Millfields Primary School 1 hour 
			 20 June 2005 Lewisham Visit Lewisham Further Education College 1 hour 
			 24 June 2005 Bury Visit Bury Adult Education Centre 30 minutes 
			 25 June 2005 Vauxhall Visit Archbishop Tenison School for Africa Commission Schools Day 45 minutes 
			 30 June 2005 Darlington Visits to McNay Children's Centre; Department for Education and Skills Mowden Hall site; and Darlington Council 2 hour 45 minutes 
			 
			 Jacqui Smith
			 10 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Ministerial Photocall at Surestart Unit, Thomas Coram Children's Centre 45 minutes 
			 25 May 2005 Banbury Visit to Banbury School 6 hours 30 minutes 
			 26 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Attend an Institute of Public Policy Research event—"Future Challenges: Living with Risk" 1 hour 
			 7 June 2005 West Chelmsford Visit to Moulsham High School 7 hours 
			 7 June 2005 Cities of London and Westminster Specialist Schools' Dinner at Mossimann's Restaurant 2 hours 
			 15 June 2005 Cities of London and Westminster Speech at the Joint School Governor Association's Conference 45 minutes 
			 17 June 2005 Crewe and Nantwich Radio 4's "Any Questions" 1 hour 30 minutes 
			 20 June 2005 Cities of London and Westminster Speech at the Holocaust Education Trust Dinner 2 hours 
			 23 June 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Visit the National Remodelling Team's offices (who manage change and school workforce restructuring) 1 hour 
			 24 June 2005 Stratford-on-Avon Speech at the regional ceremony for the Teaching Awards 2 hours 
			 
			 Beverley Hughes   
			 10 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Ministerial Photocall at Sure Start Unit, Thomas Coram Children's Centre 45 minutes 
			 25 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Visit the National Remodelling Team's offices (who manage change and school work force restructuring) 1 hour 
			 2 June 2005 Carlisle Speech at the launch of Sure Start Month 2 hours 
			 8 June 2005 Regent's Park and Kensington North Speech at "4 Children's" Annual Conference 40 minutes 
			 8 June 2005 Cities of London and Westminster Speech at the Daycare Trust's reception as part of the National Childcare Week 1 hour 
			 21 June 2005 Leeds Central Speech at National Day Nurseries Association's Annual Conference 40 minutes 
			 22 June 2005 Blackburn Opening Shadsworth's Children's Centre 45 minutes 
			 22 June 2005 Manchester, Gorton Speech at Manchester Education Partnership Conference 45 minutes 
			 28 June 2005 Cities of London and Westminster Speech at "4 Children's" Summer Reception 30 minutes 
			 29 June 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Speech at the joint seminar for the Community and Youth Work and Transports and General Workers Unions 30 minutes 
			 29 June 2005 Cities of London and Westminster Speech at "Children Now" Conference 45 minutes 
			 29 June 2005 North Southwark and Bermondsey Speech at "Childcare Star" Awards 2 hours 30 minutes 
			 1 July 2005 Bury South Speech at the launch of Bury Children's Services 30 minutes 
			 
			 Phil Hope
			 10 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Ministerial Photocall at Sure Start Unit, Thomas Coram Children's Centre 45 minutes 
			 8 June 2005 Nottingham South Speech at the National Institute of Adults Continuing Education Conference 45 minutes 
			 16 June 2005 Portsmouth North Opening of the Highbury Northarbour Centre 55 minutes 
			 17 June 2005 Kettering Opening Tresham Further and Higher Education Institute 1 hour 30 minutes 
			 22 June 2005 Tewksbury Speech at the Regional Skills Conference for local skills agencies 45 minutes 
			 24 June 2005 Derby South Speech at the launch of the East Midland's Regional Skills Partnership Prospectus 1 hour 30 minutes 
			 30 June 2005 Pudsey Tour of Hainsworth Factory Education Training Programme for employees 1 hour 10 minutes 
			 30 June 2005 Leeds Central Tour of Pittards Factory with their Union Learning Representatives 1 hour 
			 30 June 2005 City of Durham Visit Low Newton Young Offenders Institute 1 hour 30 minutes 
			 
			 Bill Rammell
			 10 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Ministerial Photocall at Sure Start Unit, Thomas Coram Children's Centre 45 minutes 
			 7 June 2005 Derby South Speech at the launch of the Centre of Vocational Excellence for Rolls Royce's Learning and Career Development Centre 3 hours 
			 7 June 2005 Derby North Visit Derby University 4 hours 
			 8 June 2005 Stoke-on-Trent Central Visit Stoke-on-Trent College 2 hours 
			 8 June 2005 Newcastle-under-Lyme Speech at Keele University 2 hours 15 minutes 
			 14 June 2005 Islington South and Finsbury Visit Islington College 1 hour 
			 16 June 2005 Brent East Vist College of the North West 1 hour 
			 16 June 2005 Brent South View site of Wembley Stadium; Tour of McVities site 3 hours 
			 20 June 2005 East Ham Visit University of East London 1 hour 
			 21 June 2005 City of York Visit North Yorkshire Learning and Skills Council; Opening the new building of the York Higher Education Academy 3 hours 30 minutes 
			 21 June 2005 Vale of York Visit North Yorkshire Business and Education Partnership at Archbishop Holgate School 3 hours 30 minutes 
			 5 July 2005 Lancaster and Wyre Visit Lancaster University 1 hour 
			 5 July 2005 Liverpool, Riverside Visit Liverpool University; Speech at National Association of Student Employment Staff Conference 2 hour 40 minutes 
			 6 July 2005 West Lancashire Speech at the Aimhigher (Raising Achievement and Increasing Access to Higher Education) Conference 1 hour 
			 
			 Maria Eagle
			 10 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Ministerial Photocall at Sure Start Unit, Thomas Coram Children's Centre 45 minutes 
			 
			 Lord Adonis
			 10 May 2005 Holborn and St. Pancras Ministerial Photocall at Sure Start Unit, Thomas Coram Children's Centre 45 minutes 
			 
			 27 May 2005 Tottenham Visit Gladesmore School; Visit Park View Academy 3 hours 
			 9 June 2005 Warwick and Leamington Speech at Church of England Conference; Visit Barford St. Peter's Primary School; Speech at the National Primary School's Association Conference 4 hours 
			 10 June 2005 City of York Visit Westfield Primary School 1 hour 30 minutes 
			 10 June 2005 Vale of York Speech to Academies' Principals' Forum 1 hour 
			 16 June 2005 Regent's Park and Kensington North Visit North Westminster Community College 1 hour 
			 17 June 2005 Camberwell and Peckham Visit to Waverley School 2 hours 30 minutes 
			 17 June 2005 North Southwark and Bermondsey Visit to London City Academy 1 hour 
			 24 June 2005 Vauxhall Tours of Stockwell Primary School; Stockwell Park School 2 hours 
			 1 July 2005 Hammersmith and Fulham Visit William Morris Academy 1 hour 
			 1 July 2005 Acton, Ealing and Shepherds Bush Visits to Jack Tizard Special School; Phoenix High School; Bulington Danes School 2 hours 
			 1 July 2005 Mitcham and Morden Visits to Mitcham Vale School; Tamworth Manor School 1 hour 55 minutes

Pupil Statistics

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many children in Hornsey and Wood Green attend school outside the constituency.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested broken down by local education authority has been provided in the following tables.
	
		Pupils residing in Hornsey and Wood Green constituency attending schools within and outside of constituency
		
			  Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Total number of pupils resident in Hornsey and Wood Green 14,397 100.0 
			 Pupils attending schools in Hornsey and Wood Green 10,776 74.8 
			 Pupils attending schools outside Hornsey and Wood Green 3,621 25.2 
		
	
	Source: PLASC 2005 Provisional data
	
		Pupils residing in Hornsey and Wood Green constituency attending schools by local education authority
		
			 Local education authority Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Haringey 12,008 83.4 
			 Enfield 912 6.3 
			 Barnet 611 4.2 
			 Camden 313 2.2 
			 Islington 287 2.0 
			 Hertfordshire 74 0.5 
			 Hackney 56 0.4 
			 Brent 31 0.2 
			 City of Westminster 29 0.2 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 20 0.1 
			 Waltham Forest 16 0.1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 9 0.1 
			 Other LEAs 31 0.2 
		
	
	Source:
	PLASC 2005 Provisional data

School Meals

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make it her policy to encourage all schools to show all existing and all new pupils the clip from Jamie Oliver's programme Jamie's School Dinners, where a group of pupils were given a demonstration of how processed chicken nuggets are made.

Jacqui Smith: Food education in both primary and secondary school teaches children about the importance of healthy eating. They learn about where food comes from and how it is processed through food technology, science and PSHE. They also learn about diet, nutrition, food safety and hygiene, practical food preparation and cooking.
	The DfES does not specify educational resources or how subjects should be taught. Individual teachers use their professional judgement to select the resources that are most appropriate to the needs of their pupils, but TV clips such as this would certainly be a useful and engaging opportunity.

School Meals

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school children in Hornsey and Wood Green (a) receive free school meals and (b) pay for schools meals, broken down by school.

Jacqui Smith: Information on pupils known to be eligible for free school meals is shown in the table. The number of pupils paying for school meals is not collected centrally.
	
		All schools: school meal arrangementsJanuary 2005 (provisional) -- Each school in Hornsey and Wood Green parliamentary constituency
		
			  Number on roll(7) Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals(7) Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 Haringey Pupil Referral Unit 108 108 100.0 
			 Alexandra Primary School 210 116 55.2 
			 Bounds Green Infant School 280 70 25.0 
			 Bounds Green Junior School 240 93 38.8 
			 Campsbourne Infant School 190 59 31.1 
			 Campsbourne Junior School 209 75 35.9 
			 Coldfall Primary School 458 65 14.2 
			 Coleridge Primary School 478 37 7.7 
			 Earlham Primary School 419 239 57.0 
			 Highgate Primary School 380 78 20.5 
			 Lordship Lane Primary School 716 348 48.6 
			 Muswell Hill Primary School 420 47 11.2 
			 Nightingale Primary School 465 202 43.4 
			 Our Lady of Muswell RC Primary School 415 21 5.1 
			 Rhodes Avenue Primary School 473 20 4.2 
			 Rokesly Infant School 319 52 16.3 
			 Rokesly Junior School 309 71 23.0 
			 St. Aidan's Voluntary Controlled Primary School 249 35 14.1 
			 St. Gildas' RC Junior School 213 50 23.5 
			 St. James' CofE Primary School 236 4 1.7 
			 St. Martin of Porres RC Primary School 243 15 6.2 
			 St. Mary's CofE Infant School 233 41 17.6 
			 St. Mary's CofE Junior School 218 49 22.5 
			 St. Michael's CofE Primary School 202 57 28.2 
			 St. Michael's CofE Voluntary Aided Primary School 464 25 5.4 
			 St. Paul's RC Primary School 206 80 38.8 
			 St. Peter-in-Chains RC Infant School 162 28 17.3 
			 Stroud Green Primary School 368 140 38.0 
			 Tetherdown Primary School 214 1 0.5 
			 Weston Park Primary School 280 59 21.1 
			 Alexandra Park School 966 249 25.8 
			 Fortismere School 1,612 170 10.5 
			 Highgate Wood Secondary School 1,309 322 24.6 
			 Hornsey School for Girls 1,451 473 32.6 
			 St Thomas More RC School 1,163 353 30.4 
			 White Hart Lane Secondary School 1,136 645 56.8 
			 Greig City Academy, Haringey 712 315 44.2 
			 Blanche Nevile School 70 23 32.9 
		
	
	(7) Includes dually registered pupils and boarding pupils.
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

School Meals

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school children in Sheffield, Hallam are eligible for free school meals; and what the take-up was in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Maintained primary, secondary and all special schools: school meal arrangements, Sheffield, Hallam parliamentary constituency
		
			  Primary(8) 
			 Position as at January each year Number on roll(10)(11) Number of pupils taking free school meals Percentage of pupils taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 1997 5,420 390 7.1 470 8.7 
			 1998 5,420 330 6.2 410 7.6 
			 1999 5,430 280 5.1 360 6.7 
			 2000 5,500 260 4.7 320 5.9 
			 2001 5,500 210 3.8 290 5.2 
			 2002 5,690 260 4.5 310 5.5 
			 2003 5,760 220 3.8 280 4.8 
			 2004 5,800 230 3.9 310 5.3 
			 2005(14) 5,720 220 3.8 270 4.8 
		
	
	
		
			  Secondary(8) 
			 Position as at January each year Number on roll(10)(11) Number of pupils taking free school meals Percentage of pupils taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 1997 8,410 780 9.3 1,220 14.5 
			 1998 8,580 790 9.2 1,170 13.6 
			 1999 8,580 810 9.4 1,090 12.6 
			 2000 8,690 820 9.4 1,070 12.2 
			 2001 8,810 800 9.0 1,070 12.2 
			 2002 9,000 730 8.1 1,060 11.7 
			 2003 9,070 770 8.5 1,050 11.5 
			 2004 9,170 800 8.7 1,050 11.4 
			 2005(14) 9,200 650 7.1 980 10.6 
		
	
	
		
			  Special(9) 
			 Position as at January each year Number on roll(12)(13) Number of pupils taking free school meals Percentage of pupils taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 1997 160 110 69.9 150 90.8 
			 1998 180 80 47.5 110 59.3 
			 1999 150 60 41.6 70 46.8 
			 2000 160 60 38.5 70 45.5 
			 2001 150 50 34.2 70 44.5 
			 2002 150 50 31.6 50 31.6 
			 2003 200 70 34.9 70 37.4 
			 2004 210 60 28.1 70 33.8 
			 2005(14) 220 60 27.6 80 35.0 
		
	
	(8) Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(9) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.
	(10) 1997 to 2002 exclude dually registered pupils and boarding pupils.
	(11) From 2003 includes dually registered pupils and boarding pupils.
	(12) 1997 to 2002 exclude boarding pupils.
	(13) From 2003 includes boarding pupils.
	(14) Provisional.
	Note:
	Figures have been rounded to the nearest 10
	Source:
	Annual Schools' Census

Schools (Violence)

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of school staff who have been victims of physical violence from students in (a) London and (b) England since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Information on major injuries and injuries to workers involving more than three days absence is collected by the Health and Safety Executive. The available information is shown in the following tables. Prior to 2001 it was not possible to identify the type of assailant or to identify school staff accurately.
	
		Injuries to school staff(15) by pupils(16) in London
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Non-fatal major injury 1 7 
			 Over-three-day injury 25 27 
			 All reported injuries 26 34 
		
	
	
		Injuries to school staff(15) by pupils(16) in England
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Non-fatal major injury 27 55 
			 Over-three-day injury 178 217 
			 All reported injuries 205 272 
		
	
	(15) The following Standard Occupational Classifications were used to identify school staff; educational assistants, primary and nursery education teaching professionals, school mid-day assistants, school secretaries, secondary education teaching professionals, special needs education teaching professionals, teaching professionals not classified elsewhere.
	(16) There are no specific categories in HSE's coding framework that identify students/pupils as types of assailant. In this instance, students/pupils are identified on HSE systems by a combination of agent classifications: "persons receiving service" and "persons receiving care". However, other individuals may be included in these categories.

Regional Development Agencies

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what offices regional development agencies have outside the UK; and what the cost of each was in the last year for which figures are available.

Alun Michael: The Regional Development Agencies have offices in different countries. The following table gives details of their location by country and the cost associated with those offices.
	
		
			 £000 
			 Country Advantage West Midlands East of England Development Agency East Midlands Development Agency North West Development Agency One North East South East England Development Agency South West of England Development Agency Yorkshire Forward 
		
		
			 Australia 58 — — (22)50 (22)55 50 67 (22)45 
			 Belgium 110 (23)59 176 (24)61 — — — — 
			 Canada 35 — (28)— — — — — — 
			 China — (25)20 — — 79 28 50 178 
			 France 109 — — — — — — — 
			 Germany 101 — — — — 69 — — 
			 India 78 — — — — — — — 
			 Japan 119 — — (22)195 (22)203 (26)73 340 (22)182 
			 Korea — — — — 75 41 — — 
			 North America 596 (27)200 (28)368 (22)370 (22)370 431 149 (22)352 
			 Singapore 127 — — — — — — — 
			 Sweden 118 — — — — — — — 
		
	
	(22) Collaboration between North West Development Agency, One North East and Yorkshire Forward.
	(23) Contribution towards East of England Office (other partners include all local authorities, Government Office-East, Regional Learning and Skills Council, Norfolk Constabulary and Anglia Polytechnic University (Business School).
	(24) Partnership with North West Regional Assembly.
	(25) Contribution towards Essex county council office in Jiangsu Province, China.
	(26) Cost of offices in Osaka and Yokohama.
	(27) Joint office with East of England International.
	(28) There are offices in both countries, but expenses are paid centrally and cannot be separately identified.
	The London Development Agency do not have any offices outside the UK.

Sickness Absence

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many days the Department has lost due to sickness in the past five years for which figures are available.

Alan Johnson: These figures contained in the annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office. Table A of the report gives details of both the average working days absence per staff year and the number of staff years on which that calculation is based. The most recent of which (for calendar year 2003) was announced by Ministerial Statement on 1 November and copies placed in the Libraries of the House. Reports for 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 are also available in the Libraries and on the Cabinet Office website at: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/conditions_of_service/caje/publications/index.aspsickness
	The DTI takes the management of sickness absence very seriously and is tightening up procedures for reporting and improving data collection and handling absences, including coaching managers on dealing with specific cases. Recommendations from the "Managing Attendance in the Public Sector" report are being considered and implemented as appropriate.

Vehicle Statistics

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many (a) cars, (b) vans, (c) trucks and (d) bus and coaches were built in the UK in each of the last three years; and how many people are employed in the automotive industry.

Alun Michael: UK vehicle production, and automotive industry employment for the last three years was as follows.
	
		
			  Cars Vans Trucks Bus and coach Employment 
		
		
			 2002 1,629,744 175,426 15,569 2,089 243,000 
			 2003 1,657,558 172,955 14,179 1,737 237,000 
			 2004 1,646,750 191,773 16,104 1,291 (29)235,000 
		
	
	(29) 2004 employment has been estimated as 2004 ABI data is published in December 2005.
	Notes:
	1. Car manufacturing data has been sourced from Office of National Statistics.
	2. Commercial vehicle data has been sourced from SMMT as ONS do not provide a breakdown by type of vehicle.
	3. Employment data has been sourced from the ONS Annual Business Inquiry, and includes vehicle, engine, body and component manufacture, auto electrical equipment, and tyres.

Wind Farms

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the relative efficiency of each mode of electricity generation.

Malcolm Wicks: Data on the average thermal efficiencies and load factors of large generators by fuel type are published in table 5.10 of the DTI's "Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics"
	http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/inform/dukes/dukes2004/index.shtml
	However, the technical and economic efficiency of generators have been a commercial matter for generating companies since industry privatisation in 1990–91.

Critical Manning

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the critical manning groups which have been identified in each of the three services; and what the shortfall against requirement was in each case.

Don Touhig: holding answer 5 July 2005
	The critical manning groups identified by each service and the shortfalls against requirement, as at 30 June 2005 and rounded to the nearest 10, are as follows:
	
		
			  Strength Requirement 
		
		
			 Royal Navy   
			 Submarine Nuclear Watchkeepers 120 170 
			 Leading Hand Warfare 1,300 1,810 
			 Submarine Leading Hand Communicators 40 80 
			 Leading Air Engineering Mechanics 390 580 
			 Royal Marines (marine rank) 2,520 3,100 
			 Petty Officer Marine Warfare 40 60 
			 Fast Jet Pilot 60 70 
			 Merlin Pilot 60 80 
			 Merlin Observer 60 100 
			 Merlin Aircrewman 40 50 
			 Leading Aircraft Controller 50 70 
			 Air Engineering Mechanics 970 1,140 
			
			 Army   
			 Vehicle Mechanic 3,990 4,370 
			 Recovery Mechanic 470 660 
			 Armourer 500 570 
			 Ammunition Technician 280 440 
			 Chef 2,300 2,610 
			 Movements Controller 360 390 
			 Petroleum Operator 210 290 
			 Explosives Ordinance Disposal 520 700 
			 Clerk of Works 210 270 
			 Mechanical Engineering Fitter 540 600 
			 Communications Systems Engineer 730 960 
			 Geographic Technician 300 370 
			 Information Systems Engineer 280 380 
			 Military Intelligence Operator 880 1,330 
			 Military Intelligence Linguist 220 230 
			 Human Intelligence Operator 40 80 
			 General Medical Practitioner 110 210 
			 Nurse (officer) 260 380 
			 Nurse (soldier) 240 390 
			
			 Roval Air Force   
			 Fighter Controller (Squadron Leaders and below) 320 400 
			 Provost/Security (Squadron Leaders and below) 140 170 
			 Admin Training (Squadron Leaders and below) 230 260 
			 Medical Officers 220 280 
			 Medical Support Officers 70 90 
			 Legal Officers 40 50 
			 Chaplains 80 90 
			 Weapon Systems Operator Linguist 40 70 
			 Air Load Master 480 510 
			 Ground Engineering Technician 590 640 
			 Vehicle Technician 400 430 
			 Driver 1,280 1,250 
			 Firefighter 620 650 
			 RAF Regiment Gunner 1,840 1,940 
			 Workshops Technician 160 170 
			 Ground Equipment Technician 680 740

Departmental Advertising

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the Department spent on advertising in each of the last five years.

Don Touhig: Until 2001–02 details of the Ministry of Defence's expenditure on advertising were included in those for "advertising and publicity" in the annual departmental performance reports, copies of which were placed in the Library of the House.
	For 1999–2000 the information is shown on page 60, Cm 5000; for 2000–01 the information is shown on page 68, Cm 5290 and for 2001–02 the information is shown on page 71, Cm 5661.
	The introduction of resource accounting and budgeting (RAB) in the Ministry of Defence has changed the way in which we account for and record our expenditure. Under RAB there is no specific heading for recording expenditure on advertising. This expenditure is included in the figures for "publicity and recruiting" but these figures could be separated only at disproportionate cost. The final outturn figure for publicity and recruiting, which includes advertising, for 2002–03, was £52.5 million and for 2003–04 they were £53.6 million.
	The figures for financial year 2004–05 have not yet been finalised and will not be available until the departmental resource and accounts are published later this year.

Surveys

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the top four reasons provided in exit surveys in the (a) Naval Service and (b) Royal Air Force for personnel leaving were; and what proportion of responses these answers represented in each year since 1997.

Don Touhig: Exit surveys are conducted within the Naval Services and RAF but it should be noted that, except for RAF officers, as only a relatively small proportion of those choosing to leave respond to these surveys, their results cannot be seen as necessarily representative of their Services as a whole.
	The information requested is given the following tables.
	RN Ratings
	
		April 1997 to February 1998
		
			 Aspects crucial or important in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Ability to plan own life 265 53.8 
			 2 Separation from family and friends 237 48.1 
			 3 Promotion prospects 223 45.2 
			 4 Job satisfaction 154 31.2 
		
	
	
		March 1998 to February 1999
		
			 Main reason for the decision to leave (1st choice aspects) Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Desire to live at home 62 13 
			 2 Wish to take up a different career 55 11.5 
			 3 Promotion prospects 46 9.6 
			 4 To marry and raise a family 45 9.4 
		
	
	
		March 1999 to February 2000
		
			 Main reason for the decision to leave (1st choice aspects) Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Desire to live at home 65 14.2 
			 2 Separation from family and friends 61 13.3 
			 3 Wish to take up a different career 56 12.2 
			 4 To marry and raise a family 52 11.4 
		
	
	
		March 2000 to February 2001
		
			 Main reason for the decision to leave (1st choice aspects) Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Desire to live at home 87 17.2 
			 2 Wish to take up a different career 70 13.8 
			 3 To marry/raise a family 52 10.3 
			 3 Separation from family and friends 52 10.2 
			 3 Job satisfaction 52 10.2 
		
	
	
		March 2001 to February 2002
		
			 Main reason for the decision to leave (1st choice aspects) Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Desire to live at home 110 19.4 
			 2 Wish to take up a different career 83 14.7 
			 3 To marry/raise a family 65 11.5 
			 4 Separation from family and friends 57 10.1 
		
	
	
		March 2002 to February 2003
		
			 Main reason for the decision to leave (1st choice aspects) Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Desire to live at home 124 23.7 
			 2 Wish to take up a different career 103 19.7 
			 3 To marry/raise a family 45 8.6 
			 4 Separation from family and friends 29 5.5 
		
	
	
		March 2003 to January 2004
		
			 Main reason for the decision to leave (1st choice aspects) Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Desire to live at home 132 22.7 
			 2 Wish to take up a different career 96 16.5 
			 3 To marry/raise a family 65 11.2 
			 4 Separation from family and friends 40 6.9 
		
	
	RN Officers
	
		June 1997 to May 1998
		
			 Aspects in decision to leave (in order of importance) Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Job prospects if you were to remain 78 53.1 
			 2 Kind of Service jobs to expect in the future 76 51.7 
			 3 Extent of domestic disruption 45 30.6 
			 4 Ability to plan your own life 42 28.6 
		
	
	
		June 1998 to May 1999
		
			 1st choice aspects crucial or important in decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Kind of Service jobs to expect in the future 14 11.8 
			 2 Job prospects if you were to remain 12 10.1 
			 3 Wish to take up a different career 12 10.1 
			 4 The desire to live at home 12 10.1 
		
	
	
		June 1999 to May2000
		
			 Main reason crucial in the decision to leave (in order of importance) Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Kind of Service jobs to expect in the future 21 17.1 
			 2 Job prospects if you were to remain 18 14.6 
			 3 Wish to take up a different career 14 8.9 
			 4 Separation from family and friends 6 4.9 
		
	
	
		June 2000 to May 2001
		
			 Main (1st choice) reason crucial in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Wish to take up a different career 30 17.2 
			 2 Job prospects if you were to remain 24 13.8 
			 3 A job opportunity (offer of a job) 13 7.5 
			 4 The desire to live at home 13 7.5 
		
	
	
		June 2001 to May 2002
		
			 Main (1st choice) reason crucial in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 A job opportunity (offer of a job) 17 12.3 
			 2 Job prospects if you were to remain 16 11.6 
			 3 The desire to live at home 12 8.7 
			 4 The kind Service jobs in the future 11 8 
		
	
	
		June 2002 to May 2003
		
			 Main (1st choice) reason crucial in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 A job opportunity (offer of a job) 15 10.8 
			 2 To marry/raise a family 13 9.4 
			 3 Job prospects if you were to remain 12 8.6 
			 4 Wish to take up a different career 11 7.9 
			 4 The appointing process 11 7.9 
			 4 Desire to live at home 11 7.9 
		
	
	
		June 2003 to May 2004
		
			 Main (1st choice) reason crucial in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Wish to take up a different career 12 14.6 
			 2 A job opportunity (offer of a job) 11 13.4 
			 3 Kind of Service jobs in the future 7 8.5 
			 3 Wish to marry/raise a family 7 8.5 
		
	
	RM Other Ranks
	
		April 1997 to March 1998
		
			 Aspects crucial or important in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1st choice aspect Pay in general 26 17.3 
			 2nd choice aspect Promotion prospects 17 11.7 
			 3rd choice aspect Promotion prospects Pay in general 17 11.7 
			 4th choice aspect Drafting process 15 10.8 
		
	
	
		April 1998 to March 1999
		
			 Aspects crucial or important in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1st choice aspect Wish to take up a different career 22 14.9 
			 2nd choice aspect Desire to live at home 19 12.8 
			 3rd choice aspect Wish to take up a different career 15 10.2 
			 4th choice aspect Pay in general 13 9.3 
		
	
	
		May 2000 to April 2001
		
			 Main (1st choice) reason crucial in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Wish to take up a different career 42 26.9 
			 2 Desire to live at home 21 13 
			 3 Job satisfaction 14 18.7 
			 3 Pay in general 14 18.7 
			 4 To marry/raise a family 8 4.97 
		
	
	
		April 2001 to March 2002
		
			 Main (1st choice) reason crucial in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Wish to take up a different career 41 23.7 
			 2 Desire to live at home 24 13.9 
			 3 To marry/raise a family 16 9.2 
			 4 Pay in general 11 6.4 
		
	
	
		May 2002 to April 2003
		
			 Main (1st choice) reason crucial in the decision to leave Number Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Wish to take up a different career 36 22.2 
			 2 To marry/raise a family 23 14.2 
			 3 Desire to live at home 18 11.1 
			 4 Pay in general 13 8 
		
	
	
		RAF Airmen's top four reasons for leaving on own decision 1998 to 2004 (no survey before 1998)
		
			  1998 Percentage 
		
		
			   N = 399 
			 1 Promotion prospects 28.3 
			 2 Lack of job satisfaction 22.8 
			 3 If I stayed in any longer it would be difficult to start a second career 16.0 
			 4 Promotion does not appear to be related to abilities 14.3 
		
	
	
		
			  1999 Percentage 
		
		
			   N = 717 
			 1 Promotion prospects 22.5 
			 2 Lack of job satisfaction 16.6 
			 3 If I stayed in any longer it would be difficult to start a second career 14.6 
			 4 Family stability 14.4 
		
	
	
		
			  2000 Percentage 
		
		
			   N = 896 
			 1 Promotion prospects 23.4 
			 2 Lack of job satisfaction 19.9 
			 3 Family stability 15.7 
			 4 If I stayed in any longer it would be difficult to start a second career 15.3 
		
	
	
		
			   Percentage 
		
		
			  2001 N = 769 
			 1 Promotion prospects 17.3 
			 2 Lack of job satisfaction 16.6 
			 3 If I stayed in any longer it would be difficult to start a second career 15.5 
			 4 Family stability 15.3 
		
	
	
		
			  2002 Percentage 
		
		
			   N = 774 
			 1 Lack of job satisfaction (1=) 18.5 
			 2 Family stability (1=) 18.5 
			 3 If I stayed in any longer it would be difficult to start a second career 17.1 
			 4 Promotion prospects 16.9 
		
	
	
		
			  2003 Percentage 
		
		
			   N = 697 
			 1 Family stability 20.7 
			 2 Lack of job satisfaction 19.9 
			 3 Promotion prospects 15.2 
			 4 If I stayed in any longer it would be difficult to start a second career 15.1 
		
	
	
		
			  2004 Percentage 
		
		
			   N = 542 
			 1 Lack of job satisfaction 26.2 
			 2 Service morale 21.6 
			 3 Family stability 20.8 
			 4 If I stayed in any longer it would be difficult to start a second career 20.7 
		
	
	
		RAF Officers top four reasons for leaving 1996 to-2004
		
			  1996–97 (n=173) Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Employment opportunities outside the RAF 80.3 (n=139) 
			 2 Career prospects outside the RAF 72.3 (n=125) 
			 3 Job satisfaction 66.5 (n=115) 
			 4 The impact of change on the RAF 64.8 (n=112) 
		
	
	
		
			  1997–98 (n=249) Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Employment opportunities outside the RAF 74.7 (n=186) 
			 2 Service morale 68.3 (n=170) 
			 3 Career prospects outside the RAF 67.9 (n=169) 
			 4 Future of the RAF 65.5 (n=163) 
		
	
	
		
			  1998–99 (n=228) Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Employment opportunities outside the RAF 75.4 (n=172) 
			 2 The effects of civilianisation and contractorisation on the RAF 67.1 (n=153) 
			 3 Career prospects outside the RAF 66.7 (n=152) 
			 4 Service morale 65.4 (n=149) 
		
	
	
		
			  1999–2000 (n=276) Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Employment opportunities outside the RAF 72.5 (n=200) 
			 2 Job satisfaction 66.6 (n=184) 
			 3 Career prospects outside the RAF 63.1 (n=174) 
			 4 Service morale 62.7 (n=173) 
		
	
	
		
			  2000–01 (n=262) Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Future job satisfaction 71.8 (n=188) 
			 2 Employment opportunities outside the RAF 71.0 (n=186) 
			 3 Career prospects outside the RAF 66.1 (n=173) 
			 4 Current job satisfaction 62.6 (n=164) 
		
	
	
		
			  2001–02 (n=196) Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Future job satisfaction 77.0 (n=151) 
			 2 Employment opportunities outside the RAF 66.3 (n=130) 
			 3 Family stability 62.8 (n=123) 
			 4 Promotion prospects 61.7 (n=121) 
		
	
	
		
			  2002–03 (n=184) Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Future job satisfaction 78.3 (n=144) 
			 2 Family stability 66.3 (n=122) 
			 3 Separation from family 64.7 (n=119) 
			 4 Employment opportunities outside the RAF 62.0 (n=114) 
		
	
	
		
			  2003–04 (n=180)1 Percentage 
		
		
			 1 Family stability 81.3 (n=122) 
			 2 To spend more time with my family 81.2 (n=121) 
			 3 Employment opportunities outside the RAF 79.2 (n=122) 
			 4 Career prospects outside the RAF 78.1 (n=121) 
		
	
	(30) Percentages for 2003–04 responses include only those individuals who answered an individual item, not for the whole response rate. Responses for 1996 to 2003, however are for the whole response rate.

War Graves

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK war graves there are in (a) Singapore, (b) Malaysia, (c) Hong Kong, (d) Burma, (e) India, (f) Pakistan and (g) Thailand; what the cost was of the upkeep (i) in each country and (ii) per grave in each of the last five years; and when each site was last inspected.

Don Touhig: The following table shows the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's (CWGC) figures for the number of United Kingdom (UK) world war and non world war graves for each country listed and the date when each site was last inspected.
	
		
			 Country World war graves Non world war graves Last CWGC inspection(31) 
		
		
			 Singapore 2,729 1,385 June 2005 
			 Malaysia 1,531 2,428 October 2004 
			 Hong Kong 1,842 3,007 September 2004 
			 Myanmar (Burma) 7,311 — April 2005 
			 India 7,484 200 March 2005 
			 Pakistan 834 — April 2005 
			 Thailand 5,129 1 February 2005 
		
	
	(31) The dates shown are those when each site was last inspected by CWGC staff. They do not include visits which may have been made by UK Government representatives.
	The CWGC does not hold upkeep costs or costs per grave for each country. However, the world wide figures for the upkeep costs per grave in each of the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Cost 
		
		
			 2000–01 27.57 
			 2001–02 28.09 
			 2002–03 30.31 
			 2003–04 32.00 
			 2004–05 34.63

Olympics 2012

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assurances the Government have given to the International Olympic Committee of financial guarantees for the London Olympics in the event of cost overruns.

Tessa Jowell: holding answer 13 July 2005
	London's bid underwent rigorous assessment by the International Olympic Committee, Treasury and the Office of Government Commerce. The Government remains committed to ensuring the 2012 Games are delivered on time and on budget.
	As part of the bidding process we have provided the International Olympic Committee with a guarantee that:
	"the Government will act as the ultimate guarantor of Olympic funding should there be a shortfall between the LOCOG's (London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games) costs and revenues".
	Copies of the guarantees given by the Government to the International Olympic Committee were deposited in the House Libraries on 19 November 2004.

Youth Development Sport Schemes

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what support her Department is giving to sporting schemes and youth development through sport in (a) Teesside and (b) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.

Richard Caborn: This data is not held centrally in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The PE, School Sport and Club Links (PESSCL) national strategy—being implemented jointly with the Department for Education and Skills—aims to increase the percentage of five to16-year-olds in England spending two hours each week on high quality PE and school sport within and beyond the curriculum, to 75 per cent. by 2006, and to 85 per cent. by 2008. The 2003–04 school sports survey—the largest and most comprehensive survey of school sport in England—found that overall 62 per cent. of pupils in the 6,500 schools taking part in the survey were already spending at least two hours a week on high quality PE and school sport in a typical week.
	Spearheading action is the establishment of a network of 400 sports colleges and school sport partnerships. To date there are six live school sport partnerships (SSPs) in Teesside. This includes two in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland. SSPs are 'families of secondary and primary schools' which come together to increase the amount and quality of sports opportunities for all children.

Fire Service

David Lidington: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on what evidence the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the hon. Member for Poplar and Canning Town (Jim Fitzpatrick), based the comment in his letter of 1 July to all hon. Members that (a) the Chief Fire Officers' Association and (b) the Local Government Association support the Government's plans to regionalise fire control rooms; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Chief Fire Officers' Association policy document, "CFOA Position on Regional Control Centres" of April 2005 expresses the organisation's support for the project (on http://www.cfoa.org.uk/cfoa_public). CFOA and the Local Government Association have expressed their support as "critical friends" of the project through membership of the project board, when briefing Regional Management Boards, and at other meetings.

Iraq

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the UK Government have been consulted by either party regarding Iran's proposed assistance with the training and upgrading of Iraq's armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Our understanding is that Iran will not be training Iraqi armed forces. On 12 July, the Iraqi Defence Minister, Sa'dun al-Dulaymi said, in response to a journalist's question about the Iranian Defence Minister's claims that Iraq had agreed to Iranian training of Iraqi troops, that this had not been discussed between Iran and Iraq, adding that "we have 10 centres of training here in Iraq and we have the full capacity."

Secure Training Centres

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answers of 11 July 2005, Official Report, column 790W and 11 July 2005, Official Report, column 791W, what the reasons were for the discrepancies in figures for total hospital admissions compared with admissions to hospital for illnesses and non-accidental injuries in Rainsbrook in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and in Hassenfield in 2003 and 2004.

Fiona Mactaggart: The answer to question 1567 11 July 2005, Official Report, column 790W gave total figures for admissions to hospital. The answer to question 1568 11 July 2005, Official Report, column 791W provided details of young people admitted because of illness and those admitted for treatment of non-accidental injuries. The difference between the figures in the answer to question 1567 and the totalled figures in the answer to question 1568 is accounted for by: (a) the additional category of admissions for the treatment of accidental injuries; and (b) the fact that one of the young people from Rainsbrook who went to hospital because of illness in 2004 was admitted twice. A full breakdown of admissions by establishment is given in the following table:
	
		Hospital admissions of secure training centre trainees 2001–05, broken down by reason for admission
		
			  Admissions to hospital 2001 to 2005 
			 STC 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005(33) 
		
		
			 Due to illness  
			 Medway 2 1 1 (34)2 (35)2 
			 Rainsbrook 1 2 2 (36)5 1 
			 Hassockfield 0 1 0 1 0 
			 Oakhill(37) — — — 0 0 
			   
			 Due to non accidental injuries  
			 Medway 0 1 1 1 0 
			 Rainsbrook 1 0 0 0 0 
			 Hassockfield 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Oakhill(37) — — — 0 0 
			   
			 Due to accidental injuries  
			 Medway 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Rainsbrook 0 2 1 0 0 
			 Hassockfield 0 0 1 1 0 
			 Oakhill(37) — — — 0 0 
		
	
	(33) Up to 27 May.
	(34) Includes one termination of pregnancy.
	(35) Includes one termination of pregnancy.
	(36) One young person was admitted twice.
	(37) Oakhill opened 19 August 2004.

Delayed Traffic Light Phasing

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the impact of delayed traffic light phasing on (a) traffic management, (b) pedestrian safety, (c) noise pollution and (d) air quality; and if he will make a statement.

Karen Buck: Urban traffic control techniques are a key part of the delivery of sustainable local transport. The introduction of traffic signal control at individual junctions or over wide areas often requires a balance of the conflicting demands of vehicular traffic capacity and provision for vulnerable users such as pedestrians.
	Studies have shown that good, coordinated traffic signal operation can reduce delays to traffic which in turn can lead to reductions in pollution. Benefits will vary from site to site but typical delay reductions due to coordinated operation under the SCOOT urban traffic control system, used in many UK towns and cities, compared with un-coordinated operation were measured as 23 per cent. in Worcester and 30 per cent. in Southampton.
	The Department commissioned a research project in 2003 to explore how casualty rates for pedestrians and cyclists are affected by traffic signal control strategies and ways of operating. It is intended that the findings of the project will form good practice guidance for local highway authorities who have responsibility for managing traffic in urban areas. The project is due to report around the end of 2005.

Investment Priorities

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about his priorities in investment over the next year.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport's investment priorities for next year were published on 4 July 2005 in the DfT business plan, "Delivering better transport: Priorities for 2005–06 to 2007–08." The plan was developed in the context of our long-term strategy which was published in the 2004 "Future of Transport" white paper.
	Priority projects for the plan period include the completion of section 2 of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, widening key sections of the M25, and progressing the West Coast Main Line upgrade.

Sickness Absence

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many days the Department has lost due to sickness in the past five years for which figures are available.

Karen Buck: The Department for Transport was established following machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002.
	The annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office in November 2004 contains reported sickness absence data for the calendar year 2003 for the Department and its agencies.
	Table A of the report gives details of both the average working days absence per staff year and the number of staff years on which that calculation is based on. Reports for earlier years are available on the Cabinet Office website.
	From our internal recording process the total number of days recorded as sick across the Department including its agencies for 2004 is 175,860.
	The Department is committed to managing sick absence effectively and to putting in place the recommendations of the "Managing Sickness Absence in the Public Sector" report. The DfT board takes an active interest in the issue of attendance management.

South West Trains

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to change the process for awarding the franchise held by South West Trains.

Derek Twigg: The award of the South Western franchise to replace the existing South West Trains and Island Line franchises in February 2007 will follow a similar process to that adopted for the Greater Western and Thameslink/Great Northern replacements currently out to market. The process is set out in "Franchise Replacement Process, June 2005", which is available on the SRA website.

Vehicle Registration

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 7 July 2005, Official Report, column 613W, on Vehicle Registration, what changes there have been to the requirement or option to submit V28 forms to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency since 1996.

Stephen Ladyman: No changes have been made in this period to the requirement for local authorities or other enforcement agencies to notify DVLA on the V28 form of abandoned vehicles. The form was modified earlier this year to remove the option to notify a vehicle as "scrapped". This follows the introduction of the End of Life Vehicle Regulations 2003 which require cars and light vans to be disposed of through authorised treatment facilities.

Departmental Website

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his policy is on the time periods after which publications are removed from his Department's website.

James Plaskitt: DWP publications are kept "live" on the website for the current and the previous calendar years.
	Older publications are available from DWP's Library Archive, and can be requested via e-mail or post. Information on how to do this is displayed prominently on the relevant pages of the website.

Housing Benefit

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what measures are in place to ensure that those on housing benefit are not discouraged from returning to work;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the impact of the introduction of local housing allowances on disincentives to work.

James Plaskitt: We are committed to making work pay for all those who are able to work, and to supporting households in sustaining employment.
	We have made significant progress in taking forward our Housing Benefit Reform Programme which was launched in October 2002. As part of this reform, we implemented the local housing allowance in nine pathfinder authorities for tenants in the deregulated private sector. Nine more local authorities will implement the local housing allowance between April and July 2005. Early results from the Pathfinders are contained in the evaluation report "Delivering the Local Housing Allowance: A summary of the early experiences of implementing the Local Housing Allowance in the nine Pathfinder areas", published in April, which is available in the Library.
	In April 2004, we introduced a number of measures to improve work incentives for housing benefit recipients. These included removing the need for people to reclaim housing benefit when they start a job. In most cases this ensures that benefit claims remain "live" while local authorities determine whether someone is entitled to continue claiming housing benefit. We also applied the additional earnings disregard in housing benefit and council tax benefit to those customers who are working for 16 or more hours a week and who have children or are disabled, and to some people of 50 or over who have recently returned to work. In addition, we extended housing benefit run-on to people receiving incapacity benefit and severe disablement allowance.
	As part of our reform programme, we are also reducing administrative complexity and providing housing benefit recipients with a clearer understanding of their benefit entitlement on return to work.
	We have also introduced a range of other measures which act as real incentives for people to move off benefit and into work. The National Minimum Wage was introduced in April 1999. It established minimum standards of pay in the labour market. In October 2004 the minimum wage was increased from £4.50 per hour to £4.85 for workers aged 22 and over and from £3.80 per hour to £4.10 per hour for people aged 18–21.
	Building on the success of working families' tax credit (WFTC), disabled person's tax credit and the children's tax credit, from April 2003 we introduced two new tax credits: the child tax credit (CTC) and the working tax credit (WTC) both of which are designed to make work pay.
	The Adviser Discretion Fund was introduced in July 2001, giving Jobcentre Plus Advisers direct access to funds to remove immediate barriers to employment and help people move quickly into work. In October 2004 we introduced Job Grant to help people manage until they receive their first wages. Additionally, housing benefit and council tax benefit extended payments allow maximum housing benefit and council tax benefit to continue for the first four weeks after starting work.
	The effectiveness of work incentives will be monitored as part of the comprehensive Pathfinder evaluation.

Social Fund

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to reform the Social Fund.

James Plaskitt: The social fund plays an important role in the Government's agenda for tackling poverty and social exclusion. It provides valuable support to millions of people on low incomes, including some of the most vulnerable people in our society. We have recently announced a number of planned improvements to the social fund.
	The Child Poverty Review, published on 12 July 2004, announced the Government's intention to abolish the Budgeting Loan "double debt" rule and to reduce the current standard repayment rate of 15 per cent. of a customers benefit to 12 per cent. These changes will come into effect on 3 April 2006 and will make budgeting loans more consistent and easier to understand and the social fund more effective in assisting those families most likely to experience debt problems.
	These changes, which will make it easier for applicants to access loans, will be supported by a net increase in loans funding of £210 million over the three years from 2006–07. In the short-term these changes will strengthen the social fund's contribution to increasing access to affordable credit for those on the lowest incomes. In the longer term we intend to consider more widely the role the social fund might play in the wider financial inclusion agenda.

National Statistics

Geoffrey Robinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total population was of each of the counties surrounding London in each year since 1975.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Geoffrey Robinson, dated 20 July 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your question concerning the total population of all the counties surrounding London in each year since 1975. (13761)
	The attached table provides population estimates for mid-1975 to mid-2003 for the counties of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Surrey, Essex and Kent and the former county of Berkshire.
	The Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) between 1995 and 1998 resulted in major changes to some county boundaries. Therefore data has been provided on both former and current county boundaries for later years to enable comparison over time.
	The most recent population estimates published are for mid-2003. (Estimates for mid-2004 will be published on 25 August 2005.)
	
		Mid-year population estimates: 1975 to 2003(51)(5037050052)
		
			 Thousand 
			  Buckinghamshire(53)(5037050054) Hertfordshire(53)(5037050054) 
			 Year(52) Former county Milton Keynes UA Current county Former/Current county 
		
		
			 1975 509.9 — — 940.8 
			 1976 519.5 — — 942.4 
			 1977 528.5 — — 945.6 
			 1978 539.7 — — 950.7 
			 1979 552.5 — — 956.7 
			 1980 562.1 — — 962.1 
			 1981 568.9 — — 969.2 
			 1982 577.1 — — 970.8 
			 1983 575.5 — — 977.4 
			 1984 589.3 — — 981.4 
			 1985 595.5 — — 985.7 
			 1986 606.0 — — 984.1 
			 1987 613.4 — — 983.2 
			 1988 618.6 — — 980.8 
			 1989 624.8 — — 980.1 
			 1990 631.0 — — 979.9 
			 1991 634.0 — — 984.3 
			 1992 640.4 — — 988.9 
			 1993 645.8 — — 991.1 
			 1994 652.0 — — 995.4 
			 1995 660.3 — — 999.8 
			 1996 665.4 — — 1,002.7 
			 1997 670.8 199.7 471.1 1,009.7 
			 1998 674.9 202.9 472.1 1,016.4 
			 1999 682.5 206.7 475.9 1,024.0 
			 2000 687.0 209.8 477.2 1,029.8 
			 2001 691.8 212.7 479.1 1,035.5 
			 2002 692.1 214.1 477.9 1,037.2 
			 2003(51) 693.7 215.7 478.0 1,040.9 
		
	
	
		
			  Surrey(53)(5037050054) Essex(53)(5037050054) 
			 Year(52) Former/Current county Former county Southend UA Thurrock UA Current county 
		
		
			 1975 1,005.2 1,416.1 — — — 
			 1976 1,007.7 1,428.6 — — — 
			 1977 1,008.8 1,438.2 — — — 
			 1978 1,010.8 1,449.1 — — — 
			 1979 1,013.7 1,461.5 — — — 
			 1980 1,017.3 1,474.5 — — — 
			 1981 1,010.8 1,481.9 — — — 
			 1982 1,009.7 1,482.8 — — — 
			 1983 1,010.1 1,491.1 — — — 
			 1984 1,015.1 1,496.5 — — — 
			 1985 1,016.2 1,505.0 — — — 
			 1986 1,016.6 1,512.9 — — — 
			 1987 1,006.9 1,522.2 — — — 
			 1988 1,008.4 1,530.4 — — — 
			 1989 1,010.6 1,533.4 — — — 
			 1990 1,015.7 1,535.6 — — — 
			 1991 1,023.3 1,539.0 — — — 
			 1992 1,024.3 1,546.9 — — — 
			 1993 1,025.6 1,550.6 — — — 
			 1994 1,027.4 1,558.5 — — — 
			 1995 1,030.2 1,564.9 — — — 
			 1996 1,030.9 1,571.3 — — — 
			 1997 1,038.8 1,578.7 — — — 
			 1998 1,040.2 1,586.7 163.8 138.7 1,284.2 
			 1999 1,055.7 1,597.4 162.9 139.5 1,295.0 
			 2000 1,057.0 1,607.5 161.6 141.5 1,304.4 
			 2001 1,060.2 1,616.3 160.4 143.3 1,312.6 
			 2002 1,061.3 1,623.0 160.4 144.5 1,318.1 
			 2003(51) 1,064.6 1,629.6 160.3 145.3 1,324.1 
		
	
	
		
			  Kent(53)(5037050054) 
			 Year(52) Former county Medway UA Current county 
		
		
			 1975 1,445.4 — — 
			 1976 1,452.6 — — 
			 1977 1,456.3 — — 
			 1978 1,461.6 — — 
			 1979 1,468.1 — — 
			 1980 1,478.2 — — 
			 1981 1,484.8 — — 
			 1982 1,486.6 — — 
			 1983 1,486.2 — — 
			 1984 1,491.2 — — 
			 1985 1,495.1 — — 
			 1986 1,500.6 — — 
			 1987 1,509.2 — — 
			 1988 1,519.0 — — 
			 1989 1,522.2 — — 
			 1990 1,524.4 — — 
			 1991 1,528.3 — — 
			 1992 1,528.9 — — 
			 1993 1,528.4 — — 
			 1994 1,532.7 — — 
			 1995 1,535.2 — — 
			 1996 1,539.0 — — 
			 1997 1,545.4 — — 
			 1998 1,552.1 245.3 1,306.7 
			 1999 1,563.1 246.4 1,316.7 
			 2000 1,573.2 248.5 1,324.7 
			 2001 1,580.9 249.7 1,331.2 
			 2002 1,590.1 250.4 1,339.7 
			 2003(51) 1,599.9 251.1 1,348.8 
		
	
	
		
			  Berkshire(53)(5037050054) 
			 Year(52) Former county Bracknell Forest UA West Berkshire UA Reading UA Slough UA Windsor and Maidenhead UA Wokingham UA 
		
		
			 1975 661.1 — — — — — — 
			 1976 665.4 — — — — — — 
			 1977 670.8 — — — — — — 
			 1978 676.8 — — — — — — 
			 1979 681.9 — — — — — — 
			 1980 688.7 — — — — — — 
			 1981 697.9 — — — — — — 
			 1982 703.8 — — — — — — 
			 1983 709.3 — — — — — — 
			 1984 717.0 — — — — — — 
			 1985 724.8 — — — — — — 
			 1986 734.1 — — — — — — 
			 1987 739.4 — — — — — — 
			 1988 744.9 — — — — — — 
			 1989 745.0 — — — — — — 
			 1990 750.8 — — — — — — 
			 1991 751.9 — — — — — — 
			 1992 757.1 — — — — — — 
			 1993 762.9 — — — — — — 
			 1994 768.1 — — — — — — 
			 1995 778.7 — — — — — — 
			 1996 786.4 — — — — — — 
			 1997 792.8 — — — — — — 
			 1998 795.8 109.0 143.7 144.1 118.0 133.0 148.1 
			 1999 796.8 109.8 144.1 143.5 118.5 132.9 147.9 
			 2000 800.7 109.7 144.2 143.9 119.7 133.7 149.5 
			 2001 803.3 109.7 144.5 144.7 120.6 133.5 150.3 
			 2002 802.0 109.6 143.8 144.2 119.9 134.0 150.5 
			 2003(51) 803.7 110.1 144.2 144.1 118.8 135.3 151.2 
		
	
	(51) Mid-2003 population estimates are the latest data available. Mid-2004 population estimates will be published on 25 August 2005.
	(52) Population estimates for 1981 to 2000 have been revised in light of the 2001 census. These figures are on 2001 boundaries. Figures for 1975 to 1980 are on 1981 boundaries.
	(53) The Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) between 1995 and 1998 resulted in major changes to some county boundaries. From 1997 Milton Keynes UA was no longer included in Buckinghamshire. From 1998 Medway UA was no longer included in Kent and Southend-on-Sea UA and Thurrock UA were no longer included in Essex. Also in 1998 Berkshire ceased to exist and was split into Reading UA, Bracknell Forest UA, West Berkshire UA, Slough UA, Windsor and Maidenhead UA and Wokingham UA.
	(54) The data for 1975 to 1980 and for 1981 to 2003 are not directly comparable due to a number of boundary changes (in addition to the Local Government Reorganisation) between 1981 and 2001. There have been no boundary changes since mid-2001 affecting these counties.
	Notes:
	1. Population estimates are shown in thousands and rounded to the nearest 100 people.
	2. Figures may not add exactly due to rounding.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Tax Credits

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  if HM Revenue and Customs will send all customers who have received an overpayment, a letter setting out (a) the total amount they owe, (b) the reasons why the overpayment or excess payment in-year occurred and the date or dates it happened and (c) the applicable repayment arrangements enclosing a copy of Code of Practice 26 and drawing particular attention to the circumstances when recovery can be waived and the availability of additional tax credits in cases of hardship;
	(2)  whether, when in-year recovery of excess tax credits is justified, the Revenue will take steps to pay additional tax credits automatically to families in receipt of income support and income-based jobseeker's allowance;
	(3)  if he will take steps to ensure that all HM Revenue and Customs staff who have contact with tax credit customers are alert to the circumstances when additional tax credits might be appropriate so that they can invite an immediate claim;
	(4)  whether, when it has been decided that an excess payment in-year is recoverable in accordance with Code of Practice 26, recovery will be at the same rates as those for overpayments in the previous year;
	(5)  if he will take steps to ensure that (a) customers are alerted on the payments page of an award notice to the fact that the recovery of an overpayment of tax credits can be challenged if the overpayment was due to official error and in circumstances where a customer reasonably thought they were being paid the correct amount and (b) customers' attention will be drawn on the same page to Code of Practice 26 and the fact that, if they want to dispute an overpayment, they need to complete form TC846;
	(6)  if he will ensure that HM Revenue and Customs do not seek to recover either an excess payment made in the current year, or an overpayment from the previous year, until it has come to a decision, based on all the relevant facts, as to whether or not the excess payment should be recovered in accordance with Code of Practice 26;
	(7)  if he will take steps to ensure that tax credits staff who are in direct contact with customers are made aware of situations where interim payments of tax credits may be appropriate;
	(8)  if he will (a) print details of the availability of additional tax credits prominently on the payments page of an award notice and (b) give greater prominence to the issue of financial hardship and how HM Revenue and Customs can help in the guidance notes which accompany an award notice;
	(9)  if, whenever a Revenue error is identified which has led to an overpayment of tax credits, the customer will be immediately notified of what has happened and informed of the circumstances when recovery can be waived;
	(10)  if his Department will consider writing off all excess and overpayments caused by official error which occurred during 2003–04 and 2004–05;
	(11)  if his Department will consider adoption of a statutory test for recovery of excess payments and overpayments of tax credits, consistent with the test that is applied to social security benefits, with a right of appeal to an independent tribunal.

Dawn Primarolo: The hon. Gentleman's questions relate to the recommendations in the report of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, "Tax Credits: Putting Things Right". I am considering the report and, as my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury said in the debate on 12 July 2005, Official Report, column 723, I shall be providing the Parliamentary Ombudsman with my response shortly.

Africa

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he plans to withhold aid from any regime in Africa on the grounds of their political policies.

Hilary Benn: DFID has recently launched a new policy on conditionality. Our policy makes it clear that we do not believe that conditionality can "buy" reform. Our aid programmes are based on partner commitment to reducing poverty, respect for human rights and international obligations and the strengthening of financial systems. Should a partner country move substantially away from these commitments, then we will consider revoking our aid commitments.
	Within this framework of partner commitments, 'political policies' per se are not specifically identified. But political actions which relate to rights and international obligations, for example with respect to good governance, the rule of law and conduct of elections, will be considered in respect of whether a country is substantially undermining the basis of our partnership.

Arms Trade Treaty

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which of the G8 countries are willing to sign the proposed international Arms Trade Treaty.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	There is no text of an international treaty on the trade in conventional arms to which the Government has committed itself. Any eventual text will be the product of negotiations. We are working to secure a formal process of negotiation within the UN as soon as it is feasible to do so. We welcome the commitment made by G8 leaders at the Gleneagles summit on
	"the need for further work to build a consensus for action to tackle the undesirable proliferation of conventional arms".

G8 (Africa/Palestine)

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much of the $25 billion in new money for development for Africa agreed at the recent G8 meeting is planned to be allocated to (a) caring for AIDS orphans, (b) eradicating polio, (c) primary education, (d) secondary education, (e) university and further education and (f) tackling (i) malaria, (ii) HIV/AIDS and (iii) tuberculosis; and by what mechanism the money will be distributed in each case.

Hilary Benn: As G8 leaders agreed at the Gleneagles summit,
	"it is up to African countries themselves and their Governments to lead on development".
	This includes deciding how best to use resources to accelerate progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. These policy decisions cannot and should not be imposed by donors. The UK will therefore provide additional resources in support of national poverty reduction plans, where partners have shown that they are committed to poverty reduction, protecting human rights and improving public financial management. We will deliver this as far as possible through national budgets, with more than half of our country programmes as poverty reduction budget or programme support by 2007–08. We will encourage G8 partners to do the same.
	There are a few cases where aid is earmarked for sectors at the global level and channelled through specific mechanisms. This is generally for reasons of international co-ordination or advocacy. For example, funding for polio will be channelled through the polio eradication initiative. The UK has committed £20 million to close the polio funding gap this year and the G8 has committed to ensuring that the $829 million needed for 2006–08 found. The G8 committed to replenish the global fund to fight AIDS, TB and malaria (which needs $7.18 billion for 2005–08) and ensure that the education for all fast track initiative has the resources necessary for countries to implement their education strategies (estimated to require $2.3 billion extra a year). In the case of the fast track initiative, resources may either be channelled through the initiative or directly to support national education strategies. For both AIDS and education, additional resources will be required beyond those channelled through these global mechanisms. These will largely be provided by donors in support of developing countries' national strategies.

Health Care (Developing Countries)

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether he expects user fees for healthcare in developing countries to be addressed at the G8 summit.

Hilary Benn: The G8 summit discussed financing of healthcare in Africa. The Africa communiqué said people should have
	"access to basic health care (free wherever countries choose to provide this)".
	DFID is encouraging the removal of charges at the point of need in basic healthcare. We successfully sought, significantly increased resources for health and other priorities at the summit. However we recognise that the question of user fees is one for partner countries and that there are different approaches to financing healthcare.

Millennium Development Goals

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit at Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goal to reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day is reached in 2015; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit;
	(2)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit at Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goal to reduce by half the proportion of people who suffer from hunger is reached in 2015; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit;
	(3)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit at Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goal target to make available the benefits of new technologies, especially information and communications technologies, in co-operation with the private sector, is reached in 2015; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit;
	(4)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit in Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals target to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water is reached in 2015; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit;
	(5)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit in Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals target to achieve significant improvement in lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers is reached by 2020; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit;
	(6)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit in Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals target to develop further an open trading and financial system that is rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory and includes a commitment to good governance, development and poverty reduction nationally and internationally is reached in 2015; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit;
	(7)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit in Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals target to address the least developed countries special needs is reached in 2015; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit;
	(8)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit in Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals target to address the special needs of landlocked and small island developing states is reached in 2015; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit;
	(9)  what agreements were reached at the G8 summit in Gleneagles to ensure that the Millennium Development Goals target to develop decent and productive work for youth in cooperation with the developing countries is reached in 2015; and what assessment the UK had made of the likelihood of meeting that target before the G8 summit.

Hilary Benn: At the G8 summit at Gleneagles, G8 Heads agreed a package of comprehensive support to help accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), particularly in Africa which is falling behind. In advance of the summit, the United Nations published a comprehensive review of prospects for achieving the MDGs called 'Investing in Development', which informed UK policy.
	This package of support includes substantial additional resources: an extra US$50 billion globally and US$25 billion for Africa by 2010. In addition, the G8 agreed debt cancellation worth up to US$40 billion for 18 of the poorest countries and up to $55 billion for 38 countries in total.
	On trade, the G8 Heads expressed political commitment to an ambitious outcome at the Doha ministerial in Hong Kong and committed to provide increased assistance for building the capacity to trade. The additional resources will be targeted where they can make the most difference: on low-income countries that are committed to growth and poverty reduction, to a democratic, accountable and transparent government and to sound public financial management, while recognising that aid is important to respond to humanitarian crises and countries affected by or at risk of conflict.
	Achieving the MDGs to reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day and those who suffer from hunger will depend on progress in a range of different areas. This is why G8 Heads emphasised the importance of coordinated and coherent action.
	The Evian G8 water action plan commits G8 member countries to playing a more active role in the international efforts towards achieving the water and sanitation Millennium Development Goals. At Gleneagles, G8 Heads agreed to increase aid to the sector, while maintaining political momentum and commitment on the water issue and reinforcing coordination and monitoring mechanisms. The UK recently announced it was doubling, over the next three years, its funding for improvements in water and sanitation in Africa.
	G8 Heads agreed a range of measures aimed at boosting growth and attracting new investment, contributing to building Africa's capacity to trade and improving the lives of slum dwellers. Work will continue on building an infrastructure consortium for Africa, involving the African Union (AU), the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the EU. The sectors to be covered by this major new effort are water and sanitation, energy, transport, telecommunications and urban infrastructure.
	Work will continue to support investment, enterprise development and innovation, for example, through support to the AU/NEPAD investment climate facility. International financial institutions and African Governments are encouraged to increase access to financial services for poor people through increased partnerships between commercial banks and micro-finance institutions.
	In recognition of the particular problems faced by least developed countries (LDC)s, the G8 committed to provide them with additional support for trade capacity building. They also agreed to work for appropriate flexibility in the Doha development agenda (DDA) trade negotiations to help LDCs to decide, plan and sequence their economic reforms in line with their country-led development programmes and their international obligations. Moreover, they reiterated their commitment to duty and quota for free market access for LDC products, and the importance of addressing products of interest to LDCs as part of the single undertaking of the DDA.
	The G8 summit did not reach any specific agreements regarding landlocked and small island development states, although other measures agreed there will benefit these countries, including additional development resources and progress on climate change and trade.
	G8 leaders committed to support youth employment in Africa for both men and women, including vocational education and training relevant to market demands.
	To help develop skilled professionals for Africa's private and public sectors, the G8 Heads agreed to support networks of excellence between African and other countries' institutions of higher education and centres of excellence in science and technology.

Sickness Absence

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many days the Department has lost due to sickness in the past five years for which figures are available.

Gareth Thomas: The total number of working days lost due to sickness in DFID over the past five calendar years, together with average number of days lost per employee, is as follows:
	
		Days
		
			  Total Average per employee 
		
		
			 2004 13,475 6.8 
			 2003 11,872 7.0 
			 2002 12,888 8.0 
			 2001 11,545 8.3 
			 2000 8,426 6.2 
		
	
	The figures given above, which relate only to home civil servants and those employed by DFID on UK fixed term contracts, are contained in the annual report "Analysis of Sickness Absence in the Civil Service" published by the Cabinet Office. The most recent, covering the 2003 calendar year, was announced by ministerial statement on 1 November 2004. Copies are available in the Libraries of the House.
	At 1 April 2005, DFID also employed some 990 locally engaged staff, or staff appointed in country (SAIC), to serve in its network of overseas offices. Sickness absence records for SAIC are not held centrally and information on the number of working days lost due to sickness for these employees could be obtained only by incurring a disproportionate cost.

Water and Sanitation

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on his Department's funding for water and sanitation projects; and what proportions of this funding are provided for (a) private sector, (b) public sector and (c) community sector initiatives.

Hilary Benn: Water and sanitation, like education and health, are fundamental to the development of poor countries. On World Water Day, I announced that the UK will double its funding for water and sanitation in Africa over the next three years, from £47.5 million this year to £95 million in 2007. DFID is prioritising immediate action in 12 African countries. I also announced increased support for the European Union water facility and World Bank water programmes. The key to spending more money well will be helping governments in Africa to improve the priority given to water and sanitation in their own country plans, so that they better reflect the needs and aspirations of the poorest.
	DFID will finalise a report, "Financing DFID Support to the Water Sector 2002–04" in August which will provide full statistics on DFID's bilateral funding, contributions to multilateral agencies and civil society organisations, public private partnerships, and contributions to research programmes. It will also estimate the proportions of the poverty reduction budget support (PRBS) and debt relief benefiting the water and sanitation sector. Many programmes directed primarily at education, health and other sectors also include a significant water and sanitation component. The total of all of these forms of support to the water sector is estimated at over £220 million in 2003–04. Comprehensive figures on total DFID support to water in 2004–05 are not yet available.

Water and Sanitation

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which water and sanitation projects funded by his Department in the financial years (a) 2003–04 and (b) 2004–05 were (i) mostly private sector, (ii) mostly public sector and (iii) mostly community sector initiatives.

Hilary Benn: DFID will finalise a report, "Financing DFID support to the water sector 2002–04" in August which will provide full statistics on DFID's bilateral funding, contributions to multilateral agencies and civil society organisations, public private partnerships, and contributions to research programmes. The total of all of these forms of support to the water sector is estimated at over £220 million in 2003–04. Comprehensive figures on total DFID support to water in 2004–05 are not yet available.

Super Output Areas

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list the super output areas (SOAs) in North Belfast that are in the top 10 percent. of most deprived SOAs in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The following table lists the 19 super output areas (SOAs) in Belfast North parliamentary constituency that are within the most deprived ten percent. of SOAs in Northern Ireland.
	
		Table: SOAs in Belfast North parliamentary constituency that are within the most deprived ten percent. of SOAs in Northern Ireland(76)(5037050077)
		
			  
		
		
			 SOA Name 
			 Ardoyne 1 
			 Ardoyne 2 
			 Ardoyne 3 
			 Cliftonville 3 
			 Crumlin 1 
			 Crumlin 2 
			 Dunanney 
			 Duncairn 1 
			 Duncairn 2 
			 Legoniel 1 
			 New Lodge 1 
			 New Lodge 2 
			 New Lodge 3 
			 Water Works 1 
			 Water Works 2 
			 Water Works 3 
			 Woodvale 1 
			 Woodvale 2 
			 Woodvale 3 
		
	
	(76) Source—Northern Ireland Multiple Deprivation Measure 2005 (NISRA).
	(77) Based on the Multiple Deprivation Measure (MDM).

Adverse Drug Reactions (Older People)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of bed days lost due to adverse drug reactions in (a) 50 to 64-year-olds, (b) 65 to 74-year-olds and (c) over 75-year-olds in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: No estimate has been made by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) of the number of bed days lost due to adverse drug reactions. The MHRA has, however funded a study conducted from November 2001 to April 2002, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on 2 July 2004 1 , conducted in two large hospitals in Merseyside. This suggested that adverse drug reactions account for 6.5 per cent. of hospital admissions. The median bed stay was eight days, accounting for 4 per cent. of the hospital bed capacity. Patients admitted with adverse drugs reactions, who were of a median age of 76 years, were significantly older than patients without adverse drug reactions, who were of a median age of 66 years. A copy of the BMJ article is available in the Library.
	Source
	1 Pirmohamed, M. et al. "Adverse drug reactions as cause of admission to hospital: prospective analysis of 18,820 patients". BMJ 2004;329:15–19

Clinical Decisions

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the conclusion of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Citizens' Council on the account to be taken of age as a factor in making clinical decisions.

Jane Kennedy: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) consulted on the draft "Social Value Judgements Guidelines" for a period of three months ending on 30 June 2005. NICE is currently considering responses to that consultation.

Healthy Eating

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of overall funding to improve eating habits in 2005–06 is allocated to improving children's diets; and how much she plans to allocate to (a) improving eating habits and (b) improving children's diets in each of the next five years.

Liam Byrne: "Choosing a Better Diet", a food and health action plan published on 9 March 2005 sets out the Government's strategy to improve people's health through improved diet and nutrition. £183.1 million has been allocated in 2005–06 to improving eating habits, of which £173.5 million has been specifically allocated to improving children's diets. Funding for each of the next five years has not yet been allocated.

Patient and Public Involvement in Health

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she plans to take to promote partnership working between NHS trusts, patient representatives and the voluntary sector to develop a patient-led NHS.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 18 July 2005
	Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001 places a duty on national health service organisations to work with patients, the public and their representatives, including patient groups and the voluntary and community sector (VCS), to ensure services are fully informed by the experiences of those using them.
	"Making Partnership Work for Patients, Carers and Service Users—A Strategic Agreement between the Department of Health, the NHS and the Voluntary and Community Sector", published September 2004, is aimed at strengthening partnerships between the NHS and the private and VCS health care sectors in order to improve the quality and range of service planning and provision of NHS services. A national strategic partnership forum with membership from all these sectors has been established to help the voluntary, community and public sectors work effectively together to deliver responsive, high quality health and adult social care services for patients, service users and carers.

Single Assessment Process/Supporting People Programme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what work is being undertaken by her Department to ensure that the Single Assessment Process and the Supporting People programme complement each other in terms of assessment for eligibility and quality assurance framework.

Liam Byrne: Following the publication of "Independence, Well-being and Choice, and Opportunity Age" in March 2005, the Department is working closely with both the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Department for Work and Pensions to determine the extent to which different assessment processes used to determine eligibility for a range of services, can be streamlined and complement each other.

Smoking

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of people who fell ill as a result of second hand smoke in (a) Huddersfield, (b) the West Yorkshire primary care trust area and (c) England in the last period for which figures are available; and what estimate she has made of the cost to the NHS in each of these areas of treating people with diseases caused by second hand smoke in that period.

Caroline Flint: Information on the number of people who became ill as a result of second hand smoke in Huddersfield and the West Yorkshire primary care trust area and the cost of treating them is not held centrally.
	The most recent estimate of the number of workplace deaths caused by second hand smoke was published in the "British Medical Journal" on 2 March 2005, in a report by Professor Konrad Jamrozik. This gave an estimate of 617 deaths a year in the United Kingdom.
	The report went onto estimate that second hand smoke in the home accounts for a further 2,700 deaths in persons aged 20–64 years and 8,000 deaths among people aged 65 years. The author acknowledges that the results are "distinctly sensitive" to some of the underlying assumptions.
	A copy of the paper is available in the Library.
	The cost to the national health service of treating disease and illness caused by smoking is between £1.4 billion and £1.7 billion a year.